BB gun shooting victim uncooperative with police

ROGERSVILLE — A Hawkins County man who was treated for two BB gunshot wounds to the head last Sunday hasn’t been very helpful with investigators who are trying to find the perpetrator, according to reports.

Deputies were called to the Hawkins County Memorial Hospital emergency room Sunday about 5:30 p.m. where James Edward Manis, 48, 300 Austin Mill Road, Rogersville, had gone for treatment of the two wounds.

Hawkins County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Chad Gillenwater stated in his report that he observed two entry wounds on the right side of Manis’ head — one behind his ear and the other on the right side of his temple.

Manis was conscious and alert in the emergency room and answered Gillenwater’s questions to some extent.

“Mr. Manis would only say that he was dropping an unknown female off at a home on Tuggle Hill Road when an unknown male came out of the woods and fired several shots from a handgun into his driver’s side window, resulting in his injuries,” Gillenwater stated in his report.

Manis told the deputy he then drove home and had another person drive him to the hospital.

Manis refused to give any further information, Gillenwater said.

The doctor removed a BB from one of the wounds.

Gillenwater later went to Manis’ residence and looked at his vehicle, a 1984 Chevrolet S-10 pickup. He said the driver’s side window was broken and the windshield had a hole, although the BB had not penetrated.

A BB was also recovered from the driver’s side floorboard.

Detective Cliff Evans was continuing the investigation, but Sheriff Roger Christian said Thursday that Manis still hadn’t cooperated.

“Without the cooperation of the victim or having another witness come forward, there’s not much chance of resolving this,” Christian said.